Match packet and method of



Jan. 5, 1937.

RS. PULLE MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Original Filed Oct. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l mm 1 M";

Jan.'5, 1937. R. s. PULLEN MATCH PACKET AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Original Filed Oct. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -lml m iililliilillil liliiliiiiiflil 4i!!!ifliiliiliil iiiliiilfiiliiflii Patented Jan. 5, 1937 MATCH PACKET AND METHOD. OF MAKING IT Rodney Southwick Pullen, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Pullenlite Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a cor- I poration of Pennsylvania Application 24 Claims.

The invention relates to match packets of a type in which the match is ignited during the act of withdrawing it from the packet.

One purpose ofthe invention lies in providing a A further purpose is to provide a formed or .molded insert for a paper match packet, which insert contains pockets to receive the heads of individual matches. i

A further purpose is to provide a V at the stick end of the match packet through the two sides of which V the respective two rows of matches pass and to turn the V inwardly into the packet in order to reduce its interference with access to the sticks of the matches and to stifien the packet. v

A further purpose is to place match striking material upon the outwardly facing sides of a reentrant V formed in the cover of the packet and to pass the matches of two match rows through holes formed in'a position in which the limiting edges of the holes afford retardation to the matches during their withdrawal.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

The illustration shows a single form only with a slight modification of a match packet which is practical and effective but which has'been selected primarily because it well illustrates the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a finished 'Figures 2. and 3 are a front face elevation and a side. elevation,.respectively, of a blank or cover 40 match packet.

.such as has been used to produce the packet of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are side elevations showing a cover blank, twclayers of matches and a spacer or filler along with their method of assemblage with the blank.

Figures 6, 7,and 8 show side elevations illustrative of the further method of forming the match packet.

Figure 9'is a perspective view of spacer used with the invention.

Figure 10 is a section taken upon line I ll-l0 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

October 5, 1934, Serial No. 746,942 Renewed June 10, 1936 Figure 11 is a side elevation showing dies and a spacer such as could be pressed by said dies to illustrate one way in which the spacer of Figure 9 may be produced. v

Figure 12 is a top plan before cutting. v

Figure 13 is a perspective of another form of spacer capable of use for the same purpose as that of Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 14 is a section upon Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a. slight modification.

Figure 16 is a top plan view illustrative of a method of assemblage of the package. 15

Figure 17 is an enlarged end elevation showing part of the structure seen in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a view-similar to Figure 17 but showing a further step in the operation.

Figure 19 is a perspective view. of a cam used.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the use of a bale to close the ends of the packet.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the bale seen fragmentarily in Figure 20. 25

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

The present invention. is intended to provide another construction of the same general type of match packet as is shown in patent to Pullen No. 1,921,372, having certain advantages over the patent above, due largely to the seating of the heads of the matches within rests in the spacer of the packet to provide retardation against the beginning of withdrawal movement and to the reentrant character of a V formed in the cover' at a position adjacent the stick ends of the matches.

The wrap shown in strip form in Figures view of a strip of packets 5 line |a-|s a 10 is scoredpreferably double scored-at l5, l6, H, u

l8, l9, and 20 in order to facilitate bending along these lines, thus dividing the strip up into inner rear panel 2|, Vpanels 22, 23, front panel 24, head end wall 25, outer rear pane126 and protecting end panel 21.

Rows of apertures 28 and 29 are formed along score lines l6 and I1 and are large enough when the wrap or strip is flat for the heads of the matches to passthrough them. The panels 22 and-23 are covered with match scratching composition in order that the matches may be ignited as they are withdrawn.

I The scoring at l5, l6 and I1 is intended to pro vide for ready bending of the wrap at this point into a V which is re-entrant'in the sensev that it.

turns back into the packet, i. e., toward the heads of the matches and which is shown in partially completed form in Figure 5.

The scoring at 20 gives resilience to the flap 21 so that this flap readily may be bent away from the match stems to give additional access to the stems.

A spacer is used to hold the matches in position, to protect adjacent matches in the same row as well as matches in the different rows from ignition, one from another and to supply retardation against withdrawal.

Two forms of spacer are shown in perspective in Figures 9 and 13, in one of which a pressed, cast or out form 38 is used and in the other of which 80' a corrugated strip of spacing material is cut or pressed to give recesses within which the heads of the match may rest and from which the match heads must be withdrawn.

The extent of retardation given by the engagements of the heads of the matches with the walls of these recesses or seats determines the amount of pull necessary to withdraw the matches and. should be just sufiicient to insure that the match shall not leave its initial position until enough tension has been brought to bear upon it to make sure that the match will be lighted'when it is removed.

The cast, pressed, rolled or otherwise formed separator or spacer 30 contains match receiving grooves 3! in rows on opposite sides of the sep arator or spacer, those on one side alternating in position across the packet with those on the opposite side. The separator or spacer as shown terminates in blocks or end pieces 32 "which conform generally to the tapered shape of the packet and which act as closures to the ends of the packet, protecting against outward flaring of the flame from accidental ignition of a plurality of matches.

The separator or spacer is tapered, flaring from the edge 33 nearer the stick ends of the matches to the end 34 close to the back at the head ends of the matches.

Each individual groove or slot terminates in an enlarged seat 35 recessed toward the edges of the packet and recessed also toward one side of the packet at the bottom of the recess. At the stick ends the recesses terminate in shoulders 36. The seats are intended to receive the heads of the matches and, on withdrawal, the match heads are retarded by the shoulders defining the seats.

As the match moves further in the direction from the head end to the stick end of the match the slots or grooves are relatively flared at 31.

In the Figure 13 form of the separator or spacer the recesses or seats 35' receive the heads of the matches so that the shoulders 36' between these seats and the grooves defined by the corrugations form relative restrictions within which the heads of the matches are retarded, in both types insuring that considerable tension is applied to the match and not allowing the matches to move out without this tension.

It will be understood that the grooves upon the underface of Figure 9 and those forming the insides of the wraps shown in Figure 13, where the alternating matches of the second row of matches lie, are intended in the illustration to be formed in the same way as those which are seen upon the exposed sides of the separators are formed, with seats for the heads of the matches corresponding to those shown.

A mold for making the separator shown in Figure 9 is seen in Figure 11 where the upper and lower dies 38 and 38' are nearly opposite counterparts and form the separator of Figure 9 by pressure of suitable material between them.

InFigure 12 it is shown the match packets may be formed initially in continuous lengths to be cut up subsequently into any number of connected packets desired, preferably being cut at 39 into individual packets of the size shown in Figure 1.

The parts may be assembled into a package as indicated generally in Figures 4-8.

The matches used are paper matches which are cut into sections along the strip length corresponding in section length with the number of matches intended to be applied within the packet. These paper match strips 40 comprise two rows 4i, 4! of matches still attached to an uncut strip edge 42.

The match heads 43 lie close together and must be separated, the heads of one row from the heads of the other, far enough to pass through the openings 28 and 29 when the wrap is open as seen in Figures 2-4. The heads of the matches are then passed through the openings and the wrap is creased at 15 re-entrantly in a direction toward the heads of the matches. The panels 2| and 24 are kept in line which requires that partial creasing take place at i6 and H at the same time.

The creasing at 15 is shown as almost complete in Figure 5 with the rows of matches in position on opposite sides of the separator or spacer so as to allow the matches to fit into the grooves of the spacers with the heads of the matches within the seats terminating these grooves. I

The panels Zl and 2d are then turned to the left in counterclockwise and clockwise directions respectively in the view of them shown in Figure 5 and the packet is closed to the position seen in Figure 6. The wrap is next creased at l8 to turn the end 25 of the packet across the heads of the matches, and is creased at i9 to bring the outside back flap of the wrap up against the inside back flap 2i, bringing the parts to the position shown in Figure '7.

During all of the operation above the matches have been held together conveniently by the uncut strip edge 42. Of course this must. be cut 06 to separate the matches and at the same time this is done the outer edge of the panel 21 is cut to the same length, keeping the package in the form seen in Figures 1 and 8.

The invention is independent of the character of fastener used, whether the parts he held together by glue, for example, or by staples, both of which modes of fastening are old in the art.

During the folding of the panels to form the re-entrant V, that is, between the position of Figure 4 and that of Figure 6, the walls 44 and 45 onopposite sides of the holes at 28 and 29 are caused toapproach each other by reason of the bend occurring along lines passing ,through the holes. This can be used to cause these walls 14 and 65 to act as retarding'walls against movement and/or ultimate withdrawal of the matches, but it is much preferred that the sticks be not clamped and be free to move freely. The heads may be retarded at this point even though the sticks be a loose lit in the holes.

In Figure 15 the ignition material has been shown upon both sides of each row of holes 28 and 29, that is, upon opposite sides of each match head as it is withdrawn.

In Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19 additional appara- I from a position in which it suction cups 41 and grzierated by pistons The match packets are clamped at their uncut edges 42 within grips 53 upon conveyor 54. As matches are conveyed from left'to right in Figure 16 the match packets pass over the small end of a wedge 55 and progressively to the right to and upon the larger end of the wedge. The wedge thus lies between the two layers of matches which are thus held apart while the wraps are pulled by the suction mechanism so as to pass the wraps over the match heads, the match heads thus, relatively, passing through the holes in the wraps.

While the retarding plates 56 and 51 hold the adjoining part of the outside of the rows of matches against movement a plurality of fingers 58 spaced to pass through between the matches of one of the individualrows push against each wrap in turn back of the scoring at l and press the portion of the wrap between the scoring I6 and I1 toward the heads of the matches. As the fingers 58 press the wraps at this point into a reentrant angle, the matches of the respective rows are drawn closer together by the drawing together of the adjoining apertured parts of the wraps. The plates 56 and 51 may or may not be moved toward each other as this is going on to support the wrap close to the matches.

The plates 56 and 51 are serrated at the edges so that they can lie over approximately half each of the holes on the side of the wrap on which the plates are applied, restraining movement of the rest of the wrap up to the respective lines of ulti= mate bending at l6 and i1. The'several flaps of the wrap are then bent to complete the packet and the packet is trimmed as in Figures 4-8. However the uncut edge of the match strip is used as means by which the packet is supported. in addition to being used to keep the matches together.

The use of the re entrant V fold results in a number of advantages. One of the greatest of these lies in the fact that the V is thus removed would interfere with grasping the individual matches for match with drawal. A second, correlated, benefit is that it is possible to make the enclosed part of the packet, as seen in Figure 6, shorter lengthwise of the matches and to give more match stick projection. The distance through which the match has to travel can also thus be shortened, with the result that there is less danger of the match sticking within the packet and the angle of approach of the match head toward the striking surface is a more desirable angle for insuring ignition of the match head.

The use of the re-entrant V also stifiens the packet and permits the match sticks to be free in the openings but gives slight retardation to the match heads as they come out.

As thus far described the package is complete and is quite satisfactory. However, for some uses there is an advantage in closing the ends of the package against possible flash or fire out through the ends by a bale. 'Where the character of separator or spacer used, or abundance of caution on the part of the manufacturer dictates the desirability of the closure of the ends they can be quite effectively closed by such a bale, as is shown in Figures and 21, where the bale 59 comprises a front portion Bil-which lies next to the front section 24 (i. e. outside of the spacer and outside of the matches), and terminal fold-in portions 6! and 62, which preferably lie outside of the back 46 carried by rods 49 and 56 within the cylinders 5| and of the spacer and outside of the matches within the spacer, but inside of the inner back wall 2|. The reason for this position for the flaps is partly because of the stiflening advantage of the inner rear wall to hold the bale ends in position during manufacture and partly in the reduction of bowing of the package by having the two rear walls 2| and 26 next to each other.

[I'he bale provides end walls 63 and 64 closing the end of the packet and extends preferably for the full depth of the wrapped part of the package. In order to provide for this complete closure of the ends and at the same time to prevent the intermediate partsof the bale from interfering with or partly plosing the openings in the wrap through which the matches pass, the bale is wider adjacent the edges in the direction of the lengths of the matches than at intermediate portions, these longer portions being shown at 55 and 66.

The wraps are urged forward in holder 46 by counterweighting operating through cords 61 passing about pulley 68. The counterweighting presses a of wraps. The wraps are held from being pushed out by fingers or slight inwardly projecting points extending into the paths of movements of the ends and sides but which do not prevent the removal of the wraps one at a time.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope oi my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of forming packets of matches from dipped paper matches arranged in adjoining rows, which consists in providing wraps having spaced apertures in juxtaposition to the matches, in spreading the matches apart as they approach the spaced apertures in the wraps, in moving the wraps and the matches relatively one toward each other to pass the match heads through the spaced apertures, in folding the wraps inwardly between the rows of matches and in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends thereof to form re-entrant angles and in folding the wraps about the matches to form packets.

2. The method of forming packets of matches from dipped paper matches arranged in adjoining rows, which consists in providing wraps having spaced apertures in juxtaposition to the matches, in spreading the matches apart as they approach the spaced apertures in the wraps, in moving the wraps and the matches relatively one toward each otherto pass the match heads through the spaced apertures, in folding-the wraps inwardly between the rows of matches and in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends thereof toform re-entrant angies, bending at the openings through which the matches pass and in folding the wraps about the matches to form packets.

3. The method of forming packets of matches from dipped'paper matches arranged in adjoining rows, which consists in providing wraps having spaced apertures .in juxtaposition to the matches, in spreading the matches apart as they approach the spaced apertures in the .wraps, in

moving the wraps over the matches --to pass the follower 69 against the rear of the pack to form re-entrant angles,

match heads through the spaced apertures. in folding the wraps inwardly between the rows of matches and in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends thereof to form re-entrant angles, bending at the openings through which the matches pass, and in folding the wraps about the matches to form packets.

4. The method of forming packets of matches from dipped paper matches arranged in adjoining rows, which consists in providing wraps having spaced apertures in juxtaposition'to the matches, in moving the matches parallel to the'planes of the rows of matches and thereby wedging, spreading the matches apart as they approach the spaced apertures in the wraps, in moving the wraps and the matches relatively one toward each other to pass the match heads through the spaced apertures, in folding the wraps inwardly between the rows of matches and in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends thereof bending at the openings through which the matches pass, and in folding the wraps about the matches to form a packet.

5. The method of forming packets of matches 5 from dipped paper matches arranged in adjoinverse dimensions of the ing rows and attached at their ends, which consists in providing wraps having spaced apertures in juxtaposition to the matches, in manipulating the matches by their attached ends, in spreading the matches apart by wedge action due to lateral movement in'a direction parallel to the rows, in moving the wraps and the matches relatively one toward each other to pass the match headsthrough the spaced apertures, in folding the wraps inwardly between the rows of matches and in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends thereof to form re-entrant angles, bending at the openings through which the 'matches pass, and in folding the wrap about the matches to form a packet.

6. The steps in the method of forming packets of matches from dipped paper matches arranged in adjoining rows surrounded by wraps, which consists in passing the matches head first through the wrap in the adjoining rows transverse to the length of the wrap and at an intermediate point in the length of the wrap and in re-entrantly bending the wrap in a direction from the stick ends of the matches toward the head ends of the matches and between the rows of matches.

'7. The method of forming a packet which consists in placing a double apertured blank in a plane, in moving matches head first through the apertures of the blank, in folding the blank between the rows of matches re-entrantly with respect to the finished packet and in folding the wrap about substantially the lines of aperturing to pinch the sticks of the matches by reason of the alteration in width of the holes in a direction transverse to the lengths of the match sticks.

8. The method of forming a match packet from a wrap and matches, the wraphaving intermediate its length two transverse rows'of holes, which consists in passingthe matches head first through the holes, in bending the wrap between the rows of holes, re-entrantly with respect to the packet, in bending the wrap substantially at the'openings to give a. lesser transverse dimension for the match holes than the initial transthewrap up about the sides of the matches.

reentrantly bent between 9, In a' 'match packet, a wrap for the packet, rows of matches and a spacer betweenthe matches, of the rows and the heads the wrap holes, and in bending by removal of the matches is opposed by engagement of the walls of the heads of the matches with the walls of the spacer.

11. In a match packet, a wrap providing acover for the packet and a spacer for the matches of the packet comprising alternating groovesand recesses of larger sizes at their head ends, the larger size recesses affording seats within which the heads of the matches lie.

12. A match packet comprising a spacer having grooves alternating in position for match reception and having enlarged seats for the heads of the matches bounded by restricting walls retarding withdrawal of the heads and a wrap surrounding the spacer lengthwise of the matches.

13. A match packet comprising matches, a wrap and a spacer, the spacer having grooves alternating in position for match reception and having seats for the heads of the matches bounded by restricting walls retarding withdrawal of the heads the wrap surrounding the spacer lengthwise of. the matches and having the wrap apertured for passage of the matches and re-entrantly turned toward the heads of the matches. 7 1

14. A match packet comprising matches, a wrap and a spacer, the spacer having grooves alternating in position for match reception and having seats for the heads of by restricting walls retarding withdrawal of the heads the wrap surrounding the spacer lengthwise of the matches, the wrap being apertured to allow the matches to pass through it and being bent back upon itself at the apertures to form a re-entrant stiffening portion projecting from the stick end of the packet toward the heads of the matches. I v

15. A match packet comprising matches, a wrap and a spacer, the spacer having grooves alternating in'position for match reception and having seats for the heads of the matches bounded by restricting walls retarding withdrawal of lengthwise of the matches, the wrap being reentrantly bent toward the match heads in proximity to openings through which the matches pass and holding the spacer entrant portion.

16. A match packet comprising matches, a wrap and a spacer, the spacer having grooves alternating in position for match reception and having seats for the heads of the matches bounded by restricting walls retarding withdrawal of the heads the wrap surrounding the spacer lengthwise of the matches, the wrap being reentrantly bent about apertures through which the match sticks pass, toward thehead of the matches and having striking material upon the outer sides of the re-entrant portion.

v 17. A match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of. the matches to form a re-entrant angle near the stick ends of the matches and surrounding the heads of the matches, having apertures through which the matches pass at the bends of the re-entrant portion of the wrap and means providing spacthe matches bounded in position by this re-v ing for the matches within the packet and protection against ignition of one match from the flame of another and striking material adjacent the path of withdrawal of the match heads.

18. A match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of the matches to form a re-entrant angle near the stick ends of the matches and surrounding the heads of the matches, having apertures through which the matches pass and means providing spacing for the matches within the packet and protection against ignition of one match from the flame of another and striking material adjacent the path of withdrawal of the match heads.

19. A match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of the matches to form a re-entrant angle near the stick ends of. the matches and surrounding the heads of the matches, having apertures through which the matches pass, means for separating the matches and retarding withdrawal of the heads of the matches and striking material within the path of withdrawal of the heads of the matches.

20. A match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of the matches to form a re-entrant angle near the stick ends of the matches and surrounding the heads of the matches, having apertures through which the matches pass and a separator within the packet guiding the matches, protecting them from ignition one by another and retarding initial movement of the heads of the matches.

21. A match packet comprisingmatches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of the matches to form a re-entrant angle near the stick ends of the matches and surrounding the heads of the matches, having apertures through which the matches pass, and a spacer separate from the wrap having seats for the heads of the matches and walls separating the sticks of the matches, providing retardation for the heads of the matches to restrain withdrawal and striking material in the paths of movement of the match heads.

22. A' match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of the matches, having a re-entrant angle at the stick ends of the matches and there apertured for passage of the match sticks and means within the packet for spacing the matches and retarding their withdrawal and a bale closing the endsof the packet.

23. A match packet comprising matches and a wrap folded upon itself lengthwise of. the matches, having a re-entrant angle at the stick end of the matches and there apertured for passage of the match sticks and means within the packet for spacing the matches and retarding their withdrawal and a bale closing the ends of the packet and having projections spacing the body of the bale from the apertured end of the wrap.

24:. A match packet having a wrap about most' of the length of the matches, apertured to permit the sticks of the matches to pass through the apertures and having a re-entrant portion of the wrap in the form of a V within the packet and a bale closing the ends of the packet and enclosing the ends of the V.

RODNEY SOUTHWICK PULLEN. 

